Our Heritage of 150 Years

The Sherwin-Williams Company was founded by Henry Sherwin and Edward Williams in 1866. Today, Sherwin-Williams is the largest producer of paint and coatings in North America, and is among the largest producers in the world. We are an industry leader with sales in excess of $11 billion, and we proudly rank as a Fortune 500 company with over 4,000 company-owned stores, approximately 200 of which are Automotive branches.

While most recognize Sherwin-Williams as the leader in architectural coatings, we also produce and market the highest quality industrial coatings and, of course, automotive coatings. In fact, we’ve been in the automotive coatings business since 1922.

Between 1918 and 1929, automobile production in the United States soared from fewer than 1 million to 5 million cars per year. Automakers wanted to offer more styles and colors to their customers and by the mid-1920s, automotive finishes accounted for nearly a tenth of all paint sales in the United States. In 1922, Sherwin-Williams entered this fast-paced field with the first of a new line of lacquers under the trade name Opex. Developed by a team of researchers, Opex lacquers adorned Packard cars and ushered Sherwin-Williams into the automotive coatings industry.

Today we continue to lead the industry by manufacturing and marketing innovative products of superior quality.

The Power of Our People

For the past 150 years, thousands of hardworking men and women have contributed their talents, loyal service, and abilities to develop, market, and distribute Sherwin-Williams quality paints and coatings. The sums of their achievements mark some of the most significant breakthroughs in the coatings industry. Today, as in the past, Sherwin-Williams continues to lead and innovate, not only through its fine products, but also through the dedication of its employees.

Sherwin-Williams has established itself with over 150 years of devotion, forward thinking and tradition. With opportunity and growth at every turn, what’s your drive?

Sales Leadership Career Path

Your Road Map To Success At Sherwin-Williams

The Management Trainee Program is designed for college graduates with a four-year degree in a Business or Liberal Arts related major. Candidates should possess solid customer service and sales work experience; be involved in extra-curricular leadership activities; have exceptional interpersonal skills; have a high level of motivation and self-confidence; and be able to relocate for advancement

Success Stories

At Sherwin-Williams we pride ourselves on developing our Management Trainees into well-rounded individuals who can succeed and grow within the company. Many of our Management Trainees have had a long and tremendous journey with Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes. See what past Management Trainees have to say about the program and our company and where they are today.

Area Sales Manager, Dallas, TX -Will Godina

Will began his career with Sherwin-Williams in 2006 as a Manager Trainee upon graduation from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Automotive Technology.READ MORE

Sales Representative, Pittsburgh, PA - Ashley Benton

Ashley began her career with Sherwin-Williams in 2013 as a Manager Trainee upon graduation from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, specializing in Marketing and Sales.

Kelsey began her career with Sherwin-Williams in 2011 as a Manager Trainee upon graduation from Pittsburg State University with Bachelor of Science in Collision Repair & Insurance Management and Power Mechanics with a minor in Business.

Our Management Trainee Program

Once hired as a Manager Trainee, you will be placed in a Training Branch with an experienced Branch Manager. Here you will complete your structured training modules which will allow you to gain valuable on-the-job work experiences in the following areas:

Sherwin-Williams Products

Sales & Marketing

Financial Operations

Human Resources Management

Customer Service

Branch Operations

Inventory Management

With the help of the Branch Manager, you will learn how to successfully run a seven-figure business. This portion of your training will typically last eight weeks. This time is designed to allow you to gain confidence in your abilities as well as continue to grow within the organization.

After you complete your initial training at the Training Branch, you will receive classroom instruction at our Division Training Center with a group of your peers. This is your opportunity to interact with Division management responsible for Sales, Marketing, Accounting, Product Development, and Human Resources.

Once you have completed your classroom instruction, you will be assigned as an Assistant Branch Manager in one of our Automotive Branches. This position will provide you with a well-rounded foundation of experiences, which will prepare you to manage your own branch in approximately 18-24 months. As a Branch Manager you will have the opportunity to oversee and manage a business, providing leadership and insight into the development and strategy of “your” branch. Manager trainees are eligible for professional sales positions once a track record of success has been established.

A Diverse Customer Base

The customers in all of the segments we support, from passenger automobiles to commercial vehicles to aircraft, share common goals — improving production time, improving finish quality and satisfying their customers.

We provide high-performance interior and exterior coatings for the following market segments:

Automotive Dealerships

Collision Repair Centers

Fleet Owners and Refinishers

Production Paint Centers

Automotive Jobbers

Aviation Refinishers

Truck, Bus, and RV Builders

Original Equipment Finishers

Wholesale Distributors

Our brands are recognized throughout the Automotive Refinish Industry across the globe for superior color and longevity.

Sherwin-Williams Offers Fully Loaded Benefits

A comprehensive benefits package is important because not only does it protect your future, it also protects the future of your family. Sherwin-Williams provides one of the most comprehensive and lucrative benefits package, not just within the industry, but within all of the Fortune 500 companies.

Health Care Benefits

Medical

Dental

Vision

Health Savings Accounts

Life, Accident and Disability

Short and Long-Term Disability

Personal, Accident, and Business Travel Insurance

Life Insurance

Voluntary Accident Insurance

Savings and Retirement

Employee Stock Purchase and Savings Plan (401k)

Company Paid Pension Investment Plan

529 College Savings Plan

Other Value Added Benefits

Paid Vacation and Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

Adoption Assistance

Credit Union

Employee Discount Programs

Scholarship Programs

Matching Gifts to Charity

Your Road to Success Begins at Sherwin-Williams

For more about Sherwin-Williams and Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes, visit our web sites:

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, sexual orientation, or any other consideration prohibited by federal, state, or local laws or by contract.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

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